Tag: uspto

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News Trademarks

Marvel to unveil new social networking service called Blip

Marvel Universe

Activision recently announced its foray into online social networking with “Call of Duty Elite” rolling out this November, and now it appears as if Marvel the comics giant, will be launching its own service called “Blip”.

According to eight recent filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (submitted on June 14) Marvel has some big plans. 

All the applications centered on “Blip” and “Blip.com”. 

In addition to the trademark applications, Marvel also acquired the domain name (which currently doesn’t resolve) this month according to WHOIS records.  The owner switched from Future Publishing Ltd to Marvel.

Registrant:
        Richie Waite
        Marvel Characters, Inc.
        1600 Rosecrans Ave Suite 350
         Manhattan Beach CA 90266
        US
        [email protected]  

    Domain Name: blip.com        Registrar Name: Markmonitor.com
        Registrar Whois: whois.markmonitor.com
        Registrar Homepage: http://www.markmonitor.com

Marvel hasn’t revealed any details on Blip or even discussed it publicly.  The only evidence of the company’s plans are the trademark filings and domain acquisition.

What kind of trademarks did Marvel apply for? 

Here’s a quick look at the trademarks that were submitted for “Blip” and “Blip.com”.

IC 045. US 100 101. G & S: social networking services; providing computer game software, applications and development tools to social networking websites for entertainment purposes and to enhance social networking experiences; providing an Internet website portal featuring social networking opportunities, applications, computer games and links to other websites for the purpose of social networking.

IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Computer game programmes downloadable via the Internet; Computer game programs; Computer game software; Computer game software downloadable from a global computer network; Computer software development tools; Computer software, namely, game engine software for video game development and operation; Downloadable computer game programs; Downloadable computer game software via a global computer network and wireless devices; Downloadable computer programs featuring positionable game piece figures for use in the field of computer games; Interactive multimedia computer game program; Interactive video game programs; Interactive video games of virtual reality comprised of computer hardware for use with an external monitor and software; Video game software.

IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: computer services, namely, software development services, computer programming, design, development and deployment of computer games, video games, online games, game related applications and development tools for others; computer game development and integration services; providing a website on the internet for hosting computer games; providing a website featuring non-downloadable software tools for use in accessing, playing and tracking performance regarding computer games provided online and via computers, mobile computers and wireless devices, and for communicating with other players of such games, and for creating and hosting micro websites for others

IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment services, namely, providing a web site featuring photographic, video and prose presentations featuring news and information regarding computer games, computer game enhancements and development tools, social networking tools and opportunities, and links to other web sites that feature computer games and related news and information; Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line computer games; Providing information on-line relating to computer games and computer enhancements for games; Provision of information relating to electronic computer games provided via the Internet.

http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85346078
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85346074
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85346071
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85346069
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85346029
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85346028
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85346026
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85345993

Discussion: Newsarama

(Photo of Marvel Characters via Marvel.com)

Categories
News Technology Trademarks

Google set to launch Photovine? It applied for the trademark, now it owns the matching domain name

 Google logo

Google applied for a trademark on “Photovine” on June 7 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. 

As of June 14, it appears Google owns photovine.com.  The company appears to have taken ownership of the domain name from Matthew Gibson, who had previously owned the name since January 2010 according to WHOIS records.

Although it doesn’t say on the WHOIS records that Google owns the domain, Google like many large companies uses MarkMonitor and DNStination, privacy and brand protection services.

Registrant:
        Domain Administrator
        DNStination Inc.
        303 Second Street Suite 800N
         San Francisco CA 94107

Domain Name: photovine.com

        Registrar Name: Markmonitor.com
        Registrar Whois: whois.markmonitor.com
        
Created on…………..: 2004-10-28.
    Expires on…………..: 2013-10-28.
    Record last updated on..: 2011-06-13.

I had reached out yesterday to Matthew Gibson (the previous owner) for a statement and to learn more about the negotiations, but I haven’t heard anything at the time of this story.

So what exactly is Photovine? 

Very little is known at this time, outside of the trademark  application the company filed earlier this month.  In 2004, Google acquired Picasa, a photo software and sharing service. 

But is Google planning to take on Apple’s iCloud Photo Stream service?

Here’s a look at the trademark filing:

Word Mark  PHOTOVINE
Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Computer software
IC 038. US 100 101 104. G & S: Communication services, namely, transmission of visual images and data by telecommunications networks, wireless communication networks, the Internet, information services networks and data networks

IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: Non-downloadable computer software

IC 045. US 100 101. G & S: On-line social networking services
 
Standard Characters Claimed 
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 85340503
Filing Date June 7, 2011
Current Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Owner (APPLICANT) Google Inc. CORPORATION DELAWARE 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway Mountain View CALIFORNIA 94043
Attorney of Record Andrew Abrams
Type of Mark TRADEMARK. SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

Discussion:  Engadget, TechMeme, Digital Trends, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Business Insider, The Next Web and Techie Buzz.

Categories
News Trademarks

United States Marine Corps files trademark for ‘Marines’

Marines

The U.S. Marine Corps, a component of the U.S. Department of the Navy, filed three trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office this past week.

The trademark applications all filed on June 9, 2011, follow trademark filings by the Department of the Navy for SEAL Team and Navy SEALs, two trademarks the Navy filed after Disney attempted (but later abandoned) to trademark SEAL Team 6.

Here’s a look at the three trademark filings by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Word Mark  MARINES
Goods and Services IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Providing a website featuring resources, namely, non-downloadable publications in the nature of magazines in the field of military topics, military history, and military life; Providing information, news and commentary in the field of current events relating to military topics, military history, and military life. FIRST USE: 19960301. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19960301
Standard Characters Claimed 
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 85342127
Filing Date June 9, 2011
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Owner (APPLICANT) U.S. Marine Corps, a component of the U.S. Department of the Navy n/a agency of the united states government UNITED STATES Room 4B548 3000 Marine Corps Pentagon Washington D.C. 203503000
Attorney of Record Philip J. Greene
Prior Registrations 3844601
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

Marines Khaki
Goods and Services IC 028. US 022 023 038 050. G & S: Christmas stockings. FIRST USE: 20061231. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20061231
Mark Drawing Code (2) DESIGN ONLY
Design Search Code 01.17.25 – Bodies of water (maps); Cities (maps); Counties (maps); Maps or outlines of other geographical areas
Serial Number 85342168
Filing Date June 9, 2011
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Owner (APPLICANT) U.S. Marine Corps, a component of the U.S. Department of the Navy n/a agency of the united states government UNITED STATES Room 4B548 3000 Marine Corps Pentagon Washington D.C. 203503000
Attorney of Record Philip J. Greene
Description of Mark The color(s) tan, khaki, light brown and dark brown is/are claimed as a feature of the mark. The mark consists of pixelated blotches of the colors tan, khaki, light brown and dark brown.
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

Marines Green
Goods and Services IC 028. US 022 023 038 050. G & S: Christmas stockings. FIRST USE: 19961231. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19961231
Mark Drawing Code (2) DESIGN ONLY
Design Search Code 01.17.25 – Bodies of water (maps); Cities (maps); Counties (maps); Maps or outlines of other geographical areas
Serial Number 85342153
Filing Date June 9, 2011
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Owner (APPLICANT) U.S. Marine Corps, a component of the U.S. Department of the Navy n/a agency of the united states government UNITED STATES Room 4B548 3000 Marine Corps Pentagon Washington D.C. 203503000
Attorney of Record Philip J. Greene
Description of Mark The color(s) green, black, tan, and brown is/are claimed as a feature of the mark. The mark consists of pixelated blots of the colors green, black, tan and brown.
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

(Photo of Marines practicing weapons handling maneuvers via Department of Defense)

Categories
News Trademarks

Marc Angell at it again, files trademarks for gCloud, CloudStream, YouCloud

United States Patent and Trademark Office

The trademark-happy Marc Angell is at it again, filing applications this past week with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for goods and services nearly identical to other companies’ products.  

The series of trademark filings include gCloud and CloudStream on June 7, and YouCloud on June 6.  The timing comes in the same week of the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference where iCloud was officially announced.

Before you say to yourself, “What’s the big deal about the trademarks?”, you have to keep in mind that Marc Angell has a trackrecord of filing controversial trademarks like iPad which was suspended.  The goods and services noted in the applications are not only similar in name, but in services.

Here’s a look at Marc Angell’s latest applications:

Word Mark  YOUCLOUD
Goods and Services IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Providing a website for entertainment purposes where users can view and post photos, videos, electronic media, movies, text, audio content, and related information featuring a wide variety of subjects
Standard Characters Claimed  
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 85338606
Filing Date June 6, 2011
Current Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Owner (APPLICANT) MARC ANGELL INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES PO BOX 1482 VENTURA CALIFORNIA 93002
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

Word Mark  CLOUDSTREAM
Goods and Services IC 038. US 100 101 104. G & S: Streaming of audio, video and multimedia material on the Internet. FIRST USE: 20110601. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20110607
Standard Characters Claimed  
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 85339736
Filing Date June 7, 2011
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Owner (APPLICANT) MARC ANGELL INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES PO BOX 1482 VENTURA CALIFORNIA 93002
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

Word Mark  GCLOUD
Goods and Services IC 038. US 100 101 104. G & S: Streaming of audio, video and multimedia material on the Internet. FIRST USE: 20110601. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20110606
Standard Characters Claimed  
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 85339775
Filing Date June 7, 2011
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Owner (APPLICANT) MARC ANGELL INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES PO BOX 1482 VENTURA CALIFORNIA 93002
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

And if you’re wondering whether Marc owns the matching domain names, the short answer is “No”.

Categories
News Trademarks Video Games

Zynga files trademark in the U.S. for Empires & Allies, launches Hanging with Friends for iOS devices

Empires & Allies

Zynga has filed a trademark application for its newest Facebook game “Empires & Allies” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

It came as no big surprise. 

Zynga filed for the European trademark earlier this month following the announcement of the launch of Empires & Allies.

Word Mark EMPIRES & ALLIES
Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Class 9: Computer game software; video game programs; and computer software platforms for social networking; interactive video game programs; downloadable electronic game programs and computer software platforms for social networking that may be accessed via the Internet, computers and wireless devices; computer software to enable uploading, posting, showing, displaying, tagging, blogging, sharing or otherwise providing electronic media or information in the fields of virtual communities, electronic gaming, entertainment, and general interest via the Internet or other communications networks with third parties; Magnetic encoded gift cardsIC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Computer and electronic games provided online, enhancements within online computer and electronic games, and game applications within online computer and electronic games; entertainment reviews of computer games provided online; information relating to computer games provided online; virtual environments in which users can interact through social games for recreational, leisure or entertainment purposes
Standard Characters Claimed  
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 85335790
Filing Date June 1, 2011
Current Filing Basis 1B;44D
Original Filing Basis 1B;44D
Owner (APPLICANT) Zynga Inc. CORPORATION DELAWARE 365 Vermont Street San Francisco CALIFORNIA 94103
Attorney of Record John M. Kim
Priority Date March 4, 2011
Type of Mark TRADEMARK. SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

Other recent filings by Zynga in the U.S. and Europe include  Mojitomo (details not disclosed), Patentville (details not disclosed), Farmville English Countryside, and of course the controversial word mark “ville”.

In other Zynga news, as I predicted in early May the company launched a hangman game for iOS devices, however, instead of using the domain hangmanwithfriends.com, the company is using hangingwithfriends.com.